M. MUMBL. I was ne'er so shoke[94] up afore, since I was born: That our mistress could not have had chid, I would have sworn. And I pray God I die, if I meant any harm; But for my lifetime this shall be to me a charm. D. DOUGH. God you save and see, nurse! and how is it with you? M. MUMBL. Marry, a great deal the worse it is for such as thou. D. DOUGH. For me? Why so? M. MUMBL. Why, were not thou one of them, say, That sang and played here with the gentleman last day? D. DOUGH. Yes, and he would know, if you have for him spoken, And prays you to deliver this ring and token. M. MUMBL. Now, by the token that God tokened, brother, I will deliver no token, one nor other. I have once been so shent for your master's pleasure, As I will not be again for all his treasure. D. DOUGH. He will thank you, woman. M. MUMBL. I will none of his thank. [_Exit M. Mumbl._[95] D. DOUGH. I ween I am a prophet; this gear will prove blank. But what, should I home again without answer go? It were better go to Rome on my head than so[96]. I will tarry here this month, but some of the house Shall take it of me, and then I care not a louse. But yonder cometh forth a wench or a lad: If he have not one Lombard's touch[97], my luck is bad. ACTUS II., SCÆNA 3. TRUEPENNY, D. DOUGH., TIBET T., ANNOT AL. TRUEPENNY. I am clean lost for lack of merry company; We 'gree not half well within, our wenches and I: They will command like mistresses, they will forbid; If they be not served, Truepenny must be chid. Let them be as merry now, as ye can desire: With turning of a hand our mirth lieth in the mire. I cannot skill of such changeable mettle, There is nothing with them but, In dock, out nettle.[98] D. DOUGH. Whether is it better that I speak to him first, Or he first to me? It is good to cast the worst. If I begin first, he will smell all my purpose: Otherwise I shall not need anything to disclose. [_Aside._ TRUEPENNY. What boy have we yonder? I will see what he is. D. DOUGH. He cometh to me. It is hereabout, i-wis. [_Aside._ TRUEPENNY. Wouldest thou ought, friend, that thou lookest so about? D. DOUGH. Yea; but whether ye can help me or no, I doubt. I seek to one Mistress Custance house here dwelling. TRUEPENNY. It is my mistress ye seek to, by your telling. D. DOUGH. Is there any of that name here but she? TRUEPENNY. Not one in all the whole town that I know, pardè. D. DOUGH. A widow she is, I trow. TRUEPENNY. And what, and she be? D. DOUGH. But ensured to an husband? TRUEPENNY. Yea, so think we. D. DOUGH. And I dwell with her husband that trusteth to be. TRUEPENNY. In faith, then must thou needs be welcome to me. Let us, for acquaintance, shake hands together, And, whate'er thou be, heartily welcome hither.